HOW TO LIVE A HAPPY LIFE …..in the light of Quran ( PART 5 )

Reliance on Allah does not mean not working and striving for sustenance (rizq ) in this life. Reliance on Allah means to put one’s best efforts to do as Allah expects and leave the results on Allah’s will.

5. SALAT KEEPS YOU HEALTHY, HAPPY AND FIT.

Salat , salaah (namaz) is derived from the Arabic word “selah” means connection, indicating a link to Allah. Salat is the second pillar of Islam performed by Muslims five times a day. Salat is the foundation stone of religion. Importance of salat can be understand by this Hadith.

Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him ) said: The first of his actions for which a servant of Allah (The Glorified and the Exalted) will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection (Qayamah) will be his prayers. If they are in order , then he will have prospered and succeeded; and if they are wanting ,then he will have failed and lost. If there is something defective in his obligatory (farz) prayers, The Lord (The Glorified and Exalted) will say: See if My servant has any optional prayers with which may be completed that which was defective in his obligatory prayers. Then the rest of his actions will be judged in like fashion. (Hadith Qudsi )

“Say ( o Muhammad ) to Ibadi (My servants) who have believed , that they should perform as- salaah and spend in charity out of the sustenance…….” (14 : 31 )

“ O you ! who believe !when you rise up to prayer ,wash your faces, hands and elbows and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles ; and if you are under an obligation to perform a total ablution, then wash yourselves and if you are sick or on a journey or you come from the privy or you have touched the woman, and you can not find water , be take yourselves to pure earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith, Allah does not desire to put on you any difficulty , but He wishes to purify you and that He may complete His favor on you, so that you may be grateful.” ( 5 : 6 )

In Quran Allah describes human nature. The inventor of a machine knows the working of machine better than others. How machine works, when to give oil , when it needs rest and what to do to keep it running etc etc. Same is the case with human being .For guidance we have Quran .Allah never leaves us alone and unguided.

WARNING OF QURAN :

“But there came after them successors ( followers ) who have given up as- salah (the prayers ) and have followed lusts (desires ).So they will be thrown in hell (jahanum ).” (19 : 59 )

BENEFITS OF SALAT:

SALAH KEEPS YOU AWAY FROM SINS:

“Recite what is sent of the book (Quran) by revelation ( disclosure ) to you and establish regular prayer, for prayer keeps you away from shameful and unjust deeds (sins). ( 29 :45 )

SALAH ERASES SINS :

“ And keep up prayer in the two parts of the day and in the first hours of the night ; surely good deeds take away evil deeds , this is a reminder to the mindful .”( 11 : 114 ) Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him ) reported : Holy Prophet ( peace be upon him ) said ; let anyone tell me; if a stream flows by the house of any person and he baths in it five times a day, whether any dirt will remain on his body.”The companions replied that, ‘no dirt would remain in such a case .’ The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him ) said; ‘so is the case with prescribed prayers. Allah forgives man’s sins (minor ) on their

account.’ (Bukhari ,Muslim )

HOW SALAT MAKES US FEEL HAPPY :

“ O , you who believe ! Bow down and prostrate ( sujood ) yourselves and worship your Lord , and do good , that happily you may prosper.” ( 22 : 77 )

Quran tells us that one who wants to live a prosperous life must offer prayer properly. Prayer is balancing and tranquilizing. Prayers give us power to remain steadfast through trials and adversity and make our minds to do good with others .

No doubt , prayer helps us remember our purpose. Apart from this , medical science has proved a lot of benefits of salat. The basic movements of salat like standing , bowing , prostration (sujood ) , ruku and sitting all carry psychological and physical benefits for human beings. Prayer has been said to play a central role in maintaining the physical , mental , spiritual and emotional health. Salat is the best tranquilizer.

A study conducted by University of Malaya’s Biomedical Engineering Department, concluded that postures during Muslim prayer are beneficial to the heart , spine and increases the capacity of memory and attention.

Neuroscientists are agree to the point that religious beliefs and practices are responsible for those biological processes which reduce anxiety both at individual and collective level. Beta – endorphins have the strongest effect on the brain and body during salaahs. Endorphins enhance the immune system , relieve pain , reduce stress and postpone the aging process. you will find People who offer prayers regularly , are full of energy and very enthusiastic.

SALAT AND NERVOUS SYSTEM:

Dr. sharif kaf Al-Ghazal in his book “Medical miracles of Quran “ writes :Prayer also helps move all sources of tension because of the constant change of movement involved. It is known that such change of movement lead to important psychological relation , therefore, Prophet (peace be upon him ) commanded the Muslims when afflicted by an state of anger should resort to prayers. It has been proven that prayer has an immediate effect on the nervous system , it calms agitation and maintains balance. Prayer also constitutes a successful treatment for insomnia , resulting in dysfunction of the nervous system.

SUJOOD AND MENTAL HEALTH :

“They fall down on their faces, weeping, and it increases humility in them.” ( 17 : 109 )

We know that all our body , our emotions , our thinking and our behaviours , our happiness and unhappiness all are controlled by our brain. If the brain is functioning well it means everything is ok. The researchers claim that the movements of salat have a great impact on the blood flow in the human brain.

Dr. Ahmed sakr , in his book prostration (sujood ) states :In Islam the concept and action of prostration ( sujood ) is very important. It is important physically , medically , morally ,spiritually and biologically. Stress , despair and depression when approached from a scientific and spiritual basis can be effectively controlled by the ‘prescriptions’ found in the Quran. The use of anti- depressants , tranquilizers and other mood altering drugs could be reduced or eliminated with the practice of sujood .The action of putting the forehead ,nose ,hands, knees and toes all in contact with the ground at the same time during sujood results in a calming feeling resulting from dissipation of the electromagnetic energy. This in turn results in better mental health , not only because of the physical activity but due to spiritual process also.

Dr. Muhammad karim Beebani states : Sajdah is a unique position or stance in the regular prayers , which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least five times a day. Although the basic purpose of obligatory prayers is not to provide an exercise for people yet it is being increasingly recognized that it has plenty of medical advantages for the human body. Here it is worth mentioning that Holy prophet (peace be upon him ) mentioned in a Hadith in ‘ Ibne Maja ‘ that prayer is a cure for many diseases. The fact is that a person who offers his prayers regularly is protected from many diseases he may not even know.

BENEFITS OF ABLUTION ( WUZOO ):

According to scientific research our ear lobe has around 7000 nerve points that are connected to the brain , when we do ‘masaah’ during ablution ( wuzoo ), we actually activate our brain through these nerve points , so rub your ears properly during ablution

(wuzoo ) , its like a mini switch for your brain .It is advised to ablute in state of anger for cooling and refreshing effect of water .

Dr. Andrew B. Newberg is an American neuroscientist and Director of Research at the Myrna Brind centre for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jafferson University Hospital and Medical College. Dr. Newberg’s findings for salat are as follows ;

• Salat works for a healthier , happier and successful life.

• Salat improves Immune system and prevents diseases.

• Salat reduces blood pressure.

• Salat brings positive changes in the personality of a person who offers it regularly and properly .

• Salat improves physical and mental health .

• Salat focuses on positive thinking .

• Salat develops feelings of love for others .

• Salat keeps brain younger , wiser and active .

• Body is effected by mind and salaah controls the mind .

• Salat sharpens the memory and strengthen the brain.

• Salat is fountain of youth .

• Salat increases the capacity of forgiveness which is good for health .